The Curse Of The Repulsive Face

“As I said earlier, I don’t quite understand what you mean.”

Johanna picked up her teacup and, with an indifferent expression, sipped her tea.

“…We’re getting off track. Shall we return to the matter at hand?”

“You intend to continue not acknowledging it?”

Almugard had absolutely no intention of taking on the task, regardless of what the old woman sitting opposite said.

By nature she had always considered killing a sin—no matter how vile a person might be, she would wound them but never take their life.

Furthermore, she was indebted to Sid Ranorus.

She owed him for receiving the Dungeon Boss’s drop item 【Windine’s Tear】 from the A-Rank Dungeon 【Blue Orchid Lake】.

In short—humanity’s strongest, Almugard Eldorado, unlike most people in the streets, did not harbor hatred toward Sid Ranorus.

“Then—if I were to say ‘Bring me Sid Ranorus’s head, and I will lift your curse’—what then?”

“…What?”

Even through the armor, Johanna felt the color of her eyes change and pressed on with her words.

“I’ve looked into you—‘The Curse of the Repulsive Face’—it seems to be the reason you cannot remove that armor.”

“I’m surprised. I’ve never told anyone that before.”

The ‘Curse of the Repulsive Face’—a curse contracted long ago when, after slaying the A-rank dungeon lord, the Evil Mud Dragon Niddhog, one was splashed with its blood.

Those afflicted are shunned by all people, resented, and become the target of hatred and malice—such a dreadful curse.

Niddhog itself was an extremely powerful monster—a Dragon comparable to the Titan they recently defeated alongside Sid—and the memory of it still lodged strongly in Almugard’s mind.

Therefore Almugard clad herself in full mail plate, unable to show her face to anyone.

For anyone who saw her bare face would inevitably direct hatred toward her.

She loved humanity more than anyone and had wielded her sword for others more than anyone.

A curse that makes one hated by everyone in the world without exception—that is the ‘Curse of the Repulsive Face.’

“If the Holy Church’s relics are available, lifting the curse would not be impossible. Well—have you reconsidered?”

“……”

The strongest human answered nothing.

Johanna interpreted that silence as inner conflict.

“Please take your time to think—have some more tea if you like.”

Johanna herself poured the remaining tea from the teapot into Almugard’s empty cup.

Before Johanna finished pouring, Almugard answered.

“No—the answer is no.”

“……”

――Creak.

A crack appeared in the teapot she’d used for the refill, and the seeped tea dripped onto the low table.

Almugard remained resolute and did not change her stance.

――Clank.

Almugard unfastened the fittings of her heavy armor and removed it.

Long hair that had been tucked in her helm fanned out, revealing a face of humanity’s strongest that no one had ever seen.

“…!?”

Johanna braced herself.

But even seeing Almugard’s face, Johanna felt no murderous intent toward her.

What reflected in the old woman’s eyes was a woman of peerless beauty.

“The Repulsive curse has already been lifted—well, even if it hadn’t been, I wouldn’t have nodded in agreement, anyway.”

“I see… that’s a pity.”

Johanna sighed.

“Then why do you still keep your face hidden by that helm…?”

“It’s embarrassing to say it myself, but I’m aware that this face unsettles the hearts of men—however, I already have a man I’ve set my sights on. To avoid unnecessary interactions with uninterested men, this helm is convenient. I can change my voice, too.”

This time Almugard truly left her seat.

“If we cannot hope for the aid of humanity’s strongest, then we too will have to—offer ourselves as the sword’s sacrifice (risk our lives). Sigh, it’s truly unfortunate.”

Left alone, Johanna let out another deep sigh.

“Twenty years ago three people died. How many will survive this time… Oswald… indeed, carrying The First Stigmata is too heavy a burden for me.”

The Holy Mother who continues to bear the name The Second Stigmata. Johanna Hohenzollern recalls the faces of her comrades and steels herself to stake her life.

She smiled, thinking it was far easier than claiming the title of The First Stigmata.